Matty wades through snow to finish ultramarathon

ST HELENS strider Matthew Dyas waded through deep snow on North Yorkshire moors as he completed a 52-mile off road ultra marathon.

The 22-year-old finished the distance, which started and finished at the historic Whitby Abbey, in a time of 14 hours and 30 minutes.

The course went along the Cleveland Way, down to Robin Hood’s Bay and across the moors.

Saturday’s event was made even tougher by snowfall and it is believed only a third of the 60 strong field managed to complete the gruelling challenge.

Matthew, a 22-year-old public relations officer from Moss Bank, said: “It's the first time I've attempted something of this distance, I stupidly signed up back in October after reading a book about ultramarathons and thought I'd give it a go. “There were waist deep snow drifts in places and then on the last leg it was pitch black along the cliff edge, I was sure I was going to fall in the sea.

“I got in at 10.30pm after starting at 8am so it was a long day and was really tough going but I'm glad I managed to finish it.”

Several members of St Helens Striders were racing over the weekend. April Morgan took part in the Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships on Saturday 26th. Held in Knowsley Safari park, the best runners from across the UK attended to run the snowy and mud ridden paths around the grounds. April finished the punishing 8km ladies race in 45:14.

Finally three Striders took part in the Chernobyl 10km in Preston on Sunday 27th. Although the snow had disappeared, it left runners with a water logged course combined with windy conditions. Brian Middleton was first Strider to finish in 42:18.

He was supported by Danny Fegan in 43:18. Andrew Bridge made a welcome return to racing with 45:24.